SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronological review of major developments related to North Korea between Sept. 3-9, 2009.

September 3 Choe Chang-sik, minister of public health, and his party depart for a meeting of health ministers from Southeast Asia and the general assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) to be held in Nepal.

3 The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), citing a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), says Ri Hwa-gun was appointed as the North Korean ambassador to Brazil.

3 The KCNA says a national exhibition of farm machines was held in Koksan County, North Hwanghae Province, from Sept. 1 to 3.

3 The opening ceremony for a fine art exhibition of Pyongyang University of Fine Arts is held at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium.

3 A Cuban government delegation led by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla flies into Pyongyang.

3 The KCNA says Kim Jong-il gave field guidance to the Songjin Steel Complex and the Kimchaek Taehung Fishery Enterprise in North Hamgyong Province.

3 A reception is given by the North Korean government in honor of a visiting government delegation from Cuba.

3 The permanent representative of North Korea to the United Nations sends a letter to the president of the U.N. Security Council, claiming the country's uranium enrichment program has entered into "completion phase" and Pyongyang is weaponizing plutonium obtained from reprocessing spent fuel rods.

3 A friendly joint gathering is held in Pyongyang to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the International Martial Arts Games Committee (IMAGC).

3 A ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China is held in Pyongyang.

4 Choe Thae-bok, secretary of the Workers' Party, confers with a Cuban government delegation.

5 The visiting "Orchestra of the 21st Century" of Russia gives its premiere at Pyongyang Grand Theater, attended by Kang Nung-su, minister of culture.

5 The Cuban government delegation leaves Pyongyang to return home.

5 Kim Yong-nam sends a congratulatory message to Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba on his election as president of Gabon.

5 Kim Yong-il, vice minister of foreign affairs, returns home after a five-day visit to China.

5 A friendly delegation of the China Association for International Friendly Contact, led by Vice President Li Xiaohua and a delegation of the Vietnam-DPRK Friendship Club led by Tran Tho Chu, chairman of the club who doubles as chairman of the Vietnamese Committee for Supporting Korea, arrive in Pyongyang to celebrate the 61st founding anniversary of the North Korean regime.

7 Kim Yong-nam sends a message of greetings to Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, president of Brazil, on its independence day.

7 The KCNA says the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia exhibitions were separately held at Mt. Myohyang and Mt. Chilbo resorts from Sept. 1 to 7.

7 The only inter-Korean joint economic office at the jointly-run Kaesong industrial complex returns to normal operation. North Korea shut down the office in protest over Seoul's hardline policy last December.

7 South Korea demands an explanation from North Korea about its unannounced discharge of dam water that left six people dead or missing, a new thorn in recovering inter-Korean relations. North Korea sent a quick response, saying a sudden surge in water prompted a massive discharge by one of its dams on Sept. 6.

7 A reception is given at the North Korean embassy in Beijing to celebrate the 61st birthday of North Korea, attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

8 A Chinese fine art exhibition opens in Pyongyang to mark the 61st founding anniversary of North Korea.

8 Brazilian Ambassador to North Korea Arnaldo Carrilho hosts a reception on the independence day of his country, attended by Pak Ui-chun, minister of foreign affairs.

8 Yang Hyong-sop, vice president of the SPA Presidium, holds talks with the friendship delegation of the China Association for International Friendly Contact led by Vice President Li Xiaohua.

8 A national meeting is held at the April 25 House of Culture to celebrate the North's 61st founding anniversary.

8 Kim Yong-nam confers with a delegation of education officials from Joson University of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan headed by Pak Jom-sok, vice director of the university.

8 The KCNA says the 10th national software exhibition in the field of education was held at the Three-Revolutions Exhibition in Pyongyang from Sept. 2 to 8.

8 A delegation from Japan's Kyodo News Agency led by its president, Satoshi Ishikawa, flies into Pyongyang.

8 The KCNA says Kim Jong-il enjoyed a joint performance given by the visiting Orchestra of the 21st Century of Russia and the State Academic Unaccompanied Chorus Named after Yurlov, the Unhasu Orchestra of North Korea and the State Merited Chorus of the (North) Korean People's Army at Mansudae Art Theater in Pyongyang.

8 Kim Jong-il, Kim Yong-nam and Premier Kim Yong-il receive a message of greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao on the occasion of the country's 61st birthday.

9 The North Korean government hosts a banquet in Pyongyang to celebrate the country's founding anniversary.

9 Dance parties are held by youth and students throughout the country on the 61st founding anniversary of the country.

9 Kim Jong-il receives a message of greetings from Russia's President D. Medvedev on the North's founding anniversary.

9 Performances are given by the North Korean Cinema Musical Company on a visit to China at a Beijing theater on Sept. 4-5 on the "year of DPRK-China friendship."

9 Senior officials of the party, state and the military visit the Kumsusan Memorial Palace on the nation's founding anniversary to pay tribute to late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung, whose embalmed body is laid in state there.

9 Kim Yong-nam sends a message of greetings to Emomali Rahmon, president of the Republic of Tajikistan, on the country's national day.